Carton construction



July 4, 1961 Filed Feb. 24, 1958 C. F. WESSEL CARTON CONSTRUCTION 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

@a/WMZ BY. l M

July 4, 1961 c. F. wEssEl.

CARTON CONSTRUCTION 'zsneets-sneet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1958 INVENTOR.C/ZWedde BY. ,M MM 2 @d tra ite

This invention relates to a carton construction and, more particularly,to an open top carton formed of fibreboard material or the like.

In the packing, handling and transporting of perishable products, suchas fruit or the like, certain precautions must be observed; for example,the product must be afforded adequate ventilation and, in addition, suchproduct must be protected against damage, bruising or crushing, eventhough the carton for such product is subjected to abusive handling,

Various breboard cartons intended for lthis purpose have heretofore beenproposed but, because of their design, are beset with one or moreshortcomings which seriously curtail the utility of such cartons.

fit is not at all Iuncommon for cartons of this type, when carryingproducts of a delicate or readily crushable character, to be subjectedto excessive loads caused by numerous loaded cartons being stackedthereabove yduring transporting or temporary storage. Furthermore, suchcartons, even when loaded and in stacked relation, are oftentimessubjected to extreme climatic or environmental conditions whichdeleteriously affect the inherent stiffness and supporting strength ofthe yiibreboard from which the carton is made. The product itself, beingsupported by the carton, oftentimes is in a wet state by reason of dewor the like and thus materially increases the humid environmentalconditions which impair the utility of such a carton.

During stacking and transporting of the product in such cartons, it isimportant, also, that such cartons, when in a stacked relation, berestrained from shifting relative to one another, which is oftentimescaused by sudden starting, stopping and bouncing of the vehicleconveying such cartons. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that theweight of thecarton be at a minimum so as to not only facilitate manualhandling thereof, but also reduce manufacturing and transportationcosts.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a cartonwhich effectively meets the aboveenumerated requirements and is notbeset with the shortcomings normally associated with fibreboard cartonsof this type.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a carton which maybe readily stacked and is possessed of a hig-h load-carryin-g capacityeven under extreme environmental conditions. n

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a carton whichis possessed of a high degree of utility and is capable of withstandingabusive handling as well.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a carton whichis simple, compact, and light-weight in construction and is inexpensiveto manufacture.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an improved cartonconstruction is provided which is adapted to readily accommodateperishable products and thereby greatly facilitate handling, packing,and/or storingthereof. The carton is preferably formed of fibreboardmaterial and comprises a relatively fiat bottom section and a wallsection extending transversely upwardly therefrom and delimiting an opentop. The upper edge portion of the wall section is provided with anelongated first slot; the juncture of the wall section tnt t 2,995,995Patented July 4, 196i with the bottom section is provided with anelongated second slot which is in substantial vertical alignment withthe first slot. Disposed within the wall section is a reinforcing piecewhich has a first portion extending substantially the full height of thewall section and a handle portion projecting through the rst slot. Thehandle portion is adapted to be slidably accommodated within the secondslot of a like carton when the latter is disposed in superimposedrelation.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should bemade to the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l -is a perspective view of the improved set up carton.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the carton in one stage in thesetting up.

lFIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the carton in a furtherstage in the setting up of the carton.

FIG. 4 is a perspective end view of the set up carton, taken from below.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5--5of FIG. l.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but taken along line 6-6 of FIG. l.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along line 7 7 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view showing a plurality of the improvedcartons in stacked relation.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form` of theimproved carton.

`Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIG. 1, animproved carton construction 10 is shown which, in this instance, issuitable for accommodating a plurality of berry boxes or containers ofthe conventional quart or pint size customarily used for packagingstrawberries, raspberries, etc. It is to be understood, of course, thatthe invention, hereinafter described, is not limited specifically to theform of carton construction illustrated in the drawings, but such formhas been illustrated and will be described hereinafter merely for thepurpose of facilitating understanding of the invention.

The improved carton 10, in this instance, is of foldable constructionand is preferably formed of double-faced corrugated fibreboard sheetmaterial. This carton is so fabricated at the factory that thefibreboard sheets can be transported in flat condition and in the fieldor packing plant, as the case may be, quickly and easily folded toset-up condition while being assembled with the reinforcing pieces. Whenthe carton is folded in the manner as shown in the drawings, that is tosay, in its operative condition, the carton includes a relatively flatbottom section 11, elongated side wall sections 12, and elongated endwall sections i3. The side and end Wall sections in this instancecooperate with one another to form a rectangularly shaped open top. Acenter dividing partition 14 may be utilized which separates the cartoninterior into two compartments, A and B, of like size and shape. Thepartition 14 reduces relative shifting of the boxes within the `cartonand also provides added reinforcement for the carton between the endwall sections.

In the preferred form of the improved carton 10, removable reinforcingmeans, in this instance shown as a bent wire piece 15 as shown in FIG.7, is provided for each end wall section 13. The function andconfiguration of piece 15 will be described more fully hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side wall sections 12 are of likeconfiguration and each spans the distance between the end wall sections.Each side wall section 12 includes an elongated first or outer portion12a which, when the carton is set up, forms the outer exposed surface ofthe side wall. Outer portion 12a is foldably connected to the peripheryof bottom section 11 along fold line 19. The center partition 14 dividesinner side wall section portion 12a at substantially its midpoint.

Foldably connected to a portion of the upper edge of outer portion 12aand disposed on opposite sides of parti-v tion 14 are inner or secondportions 12b which are of like configuration and form a part of theexposed interior surface of the side wall section 12, when the carton isset up. Each inner portion 12b is provided with a pair of periph- 4eraltabs 12C, the -function of which will be described more fullyhereinafter. At the opposite end limits of outer portion 12a arefoldably connected end portions 12d which, when in folded position, asseen in FIG. 3, are disposed in the planes of end wall sections 13 andeffect stiffening of the latter.

Each end wall section 13 comprises an outer portion 13a foldablyconnected to the periphery of bottom section 11 along fold line 16.Portion 13a forms the exposed outer surface of the end wall section 13when the carton is set up. Formed at substantially midpoint in fold line16 is a pocket means which, in this instance, is shown as an elongatedslot 17. Slot 17 comprises an elongated rst cutout portion 17a which isformed in outer portion 13a and terminates at fold line 16; and anelongated second cutout 17b formed in bottom section 11 and terminatingat fold line 16. The function of elongated slot or pocket 17 will becomeapparent from the discussion to follow hereinafter.

Foldably connected to outer portion 13a, along fold line 18, is an innerportion 13b which is of substantially the same size and configuration asouter portion 13a. Extending laterally from, and foldably connected to,opposite sides of inner portion 13b are flap portions 13C. A tab 13d isprovided which is substantially centrally located on the elongated freeedge of inner portion 13b. Tab 13d is adapted to cooperate with slot 17and effect locking of end wall section 13 in its folded position, asshown in FIG. l.

When end wall section 13 is in its folded set-up position, correspondingportions 12d of side wall sections 12 are sandwiched between the outerand inner portions 13u and 13b, respectively, of the end wall. Thelength of each portion 12d is relatively short and thus theirterminating and concealed edges are relatively spaced from one anotherand reinforcing piece 15 is accommodated therebetween. The height ofeach portion 12d is substantially the same as the height of the end wallsection 13 as a whole and thus effects three-ply construction, or addedstiffness, for portions of the end wall section 13.

Each reinforcing piece 15, in its preferred form as shown in FIG. 7, isfabricated from relatively stiff wire material and includes a pair ofelongated, relatively spaced, substantially parallel legs 15a, thelength of which corresponds substantially to the distance between foldlines 16 and 18 of end wall section 13. The lower end of each leg 15a isoutwardly offset to form an elongated foot portion 15b which is adaptedto rest upon the bottom section 11 closely adjacent fold line 16, formedbetween bottom section 11 and outer portion 13a, see FIG. 7. The upperend of each leg 15a is offset in the opposite direction to form anelongated shoulder 15C, which is adapted to engage portions of the foldline 18 circumjacent an elongated slot 20 formed therein. Shoulders 15erender the piece 15 impassable with respect to slot 20. Slot 20 is ofsubstantially the same length as elongated slot 17 and is in substantialvertical alignment therewith. Interconnecting shoulder portions :15C ofpiece 15, is a bail-like handle portion 15d which is adapted to projectthrough elongated slot 20 in a manner as shown in FIG. l and is disposedin substantial coplanar relation with respect to the mid-plane of theend wall section 13. In addition to providing a handle to facilitatecarrying carton 10, bail-like portion 15d is adapted to be accommodatedwithin slot 17 formed in a like carton when the latter is insuperimposed or stacked relation therewith, see FIG. 8. When portion 15dis accommodated in a slot 17, relative shifting laterally orlongitudinally between stacked boxes is prevented. This feature is ofextreme importance when a plurality of cartons are being transported.The cutouts 17a formed in the outer end wall portions 13a serve animportant function in facilitating positioning or guiding of bail-likeportions 15d in slots 17 Vwhen stacking one carton upon a lower carton.

The reinforcing piece 415, as the name implies, materially increases thestiffness and supporting qualties of the end wall sections and therebyprevents the lower cartons in a stack from being crushed, even thoughsuch cartons are exposed to extreme humid conditions which, under normalcircumstances, would materially weaken the iiberboard material fromwhich the carton is made. Heretofore, the problem of crushing under suchhumid conditions has been a most serious one.

A modified form of carton 25 is shown in FIG. 9, wherein the reinforcingpiece 15 is disposed within partition 14 rather than in the end wallsections 13. Partition 14 is of two-ply construction and is providedwith end tabs 14a which extend in opposite directions and are sandwichedwithin the corresponding side wall sections between outer portion 12aand inner portions 12b thereof. Where the reinforcing piece 15 isdisposed in partition 14, a suitable elongated slot 26 is formed inbottom section 11 and is aligned with respect to partition 14.

When end wall section 13 is in folded relation, as shown in FIG. l, theflap portions 13e are in coextensive relation with respect tocorresponding portions of outer portions 12a of side wall sections 12,disposed to one side of partition 14, and thus provide added stiffnessfor the side wall sections.

When inner portion 12b is in folded relation, as shown in FIG. 1, asegment of each ap portion 13e1 is disposed between portions 12a and12b, thereby providing threeply construction. The tongues or tabs 12cformed on inner portion 12b cooperate with relatively spaced elongatedslots 21 formed in bottom section 11 adjacent the periphery thereof andthus lock inner portion 12b of the side walls in folded relation.

While reinforcing piece 15, in this instance, is shown of bent wireconstruction, it is to be understood, of course, that other materialsmight be utilized, for example, thingauge sheet metal or plastic whichis relatively stiff and shaped to form an area approximating that denedby the bent wire shown in FIG. 7.

As previously indicated, where perishable products are being transportedin carton 10, it is oftentimes of extreme importance that such productsbe afforded proper ventilation, even though a plurality of loadedcartons are arranged in stacked relation, as shown in FIG. 8. Suchventilation is provided in the improved carton construction by aplurality of openings 11a formed in bottom section 11 and a plurality ofopenings 22 formed in side and end wall sections 12 and 13,respectively.

An elongated slot 23 may, if desired, be formed in each side wallsection 12. The slot 23 is aligned so as to be intersected by the planeof partition 14. The end tabs 14a of partition 14 are provided withcutouts which are in registration with slots 23 when the carton is infolded relation, as shown in FIG. l. Where slots 23 are omitted, thecutouts in tabs 14a and inner portions 12b may likewise be omitted,thereby increasing the strength of the side walls 12. The slots andopenings 22 and 23, besides providing the necessary means forVentilating the product disposed within the carton, also serve anadditional function, namely, that of hand-holes to facilitate carryingone or more of the cartons.

The side wall sections 12 have the central portion thereof of reducedheight, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, thus providing additional means forVentilating the product supported within the carton notwithstanding thatsuch cartons are disposed in stacked relation, as shown in FIG. 8. It isnot uncommon -for the berries disposed within the carton be in arelatively wet condition at the time of packing, by reason of dew or thelike and, therefore, in order to the eiects of such dew, which causelimpness to the fibreboard, means must be provided in the carton forgood ventilation, to expedite dissipation of such moisture.

As previou-sly mentioned, the shape and size of the improved carton, andthe number of Ventilating openings or slots, may be varied to suit theparticular need. Furthermore, the number, configuration, and sturdinessof the reinforcing pieces 15 may also be varied.

While several embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will beunderstood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto,since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore,by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A carton construction comprising a bottom section, a wall section oflat least two-ply thickness extending upwardly from and substantiallynormal to said bottom section, the upper edge of said wall section beingprovided with an elongated slot, and reinforcing means for said Wallsection; said reinforcing means including a bent wire piece having aconcealed lrst portion disposed intermediate the plies of said wallsection, said first portion being formed of a pair of elongatedrelatively spaced parallel legs having a length substantially equal tothe height of said wall section `and disposed on opposite sides of saidelongated slot, a pair of feet segments extending laterally from theends of said legs and contacting said bottom section, and a pair ofshoulder segments extending laterally from the opposite ends of saidlegs and contacting the portions of the end wall section upper edgedisposed adjacent the end limits of said slot; and an exposed bai-llikehandle portion interconnecting said shoulder segments and projectingthrough said elongated slot.

2. A carton construction comprising a bottom section, side wall sections)foldably connected to and extending upwardly from and substantiallynormal to said bottom section, end Wall sections extending upwardlyIfrom and substantially normal to said bottom section, said side and endwall sections cooperating with one Ianother to delimit an open top, eachend wall section including an outer portion having an edge segmentthereof foldably co-nnected to the periphery of said bottom section, andan inner portion foldably connected to the opposite edge segment of saidouter portion, said inner and outer portions, when in one position offolded relation, cooperating with one another to form `an end wallsection of at least twoply thickness, the lines of fold between saidbottom section and said end wall section outer portion, and between theouter and inner portions of said end wall sections being provided withelongated openings, and reinforcing means disposed intermediate theinner land outer portions of said end wall sections, when said portionsare in carton-forming folded relation, each of said reinforcing meanshaving a handle portion projecting through the elongated opening formedin the line of fold between said inner and outer portions, `and a baseportion integr-a1 with said handle portion and disposed intermediate theinner yand outer portions of an end wall section; the handle portion ofa reinforcing means being accommodated within an elongated openingformed ina line of fold connecting the bottom section and outer portionof the end wall section of a like carton, when the latter is disposed insuperimposed relation thereon; the base portion of each reinforcingmeans -being of greater width than the length of the fold line openingthrough lwhich said handle portion projects, said base portion havingshoulder sections contacting portions of the fold lines disposedadjacent the end limits of said openings, and intermediate sectionsinterconnecting the shoulder sections disposed adjacent thecorresponding end limits.

3. A carton construction comprising a bottom section, side wall sectionsfoldably connected to and extending upwardly from and substantiallynormal to said bottom section, end wall sections extending upwardlyIfrom and substantially normal to said bottom section, said side and endwall sections cooperating with one another to delimit an open top, eachend wall section including an outer portion having an edge segment.thereof fold-ably connected to the periphery of said bottom section,and `an inner portion foldably connected to the opposite edge segment ofsaid outer portion, said inner and outer portions, when in one positionof folded relation, cooperating with one another to form an end wallsection of at least two-ply thickness, the lines of fold between saidbottom section and said end wall section outer portion yand between theouter and inner portions of said end wall sections being provided withelongated openings, and reinforcing means formed of bent wire disposedintermediate the inner and outer portions of said end wall sections,when said portions are in carton-forming folded relation, each of saidreinforcing means having a base portion engaging the lines of fold ofsaid end Wall section disposed on opposite sides of said elongatedopenings, and -a handle portion integral with said base portion and insubstantially coplanar relation therewith, said handle portionprojecting through the elongated opening formed in the line of foldbetween said end wall section inner and outer portions and beingaccommodated within the elongated opening formed in the line of foldconnecting the bottom section and the outer portion of the correspondingend wal-1 section of a like carton, when the latter is disposed insuperimposed relation thereon, the base portion of each reinforcingmeans being impassable with 'respect to said elongated openings andspanning the distance between the fold line of said inner and outerportions and the fold line between said outer portion and said bottomsection.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSl1,666,333 Isoyama Apr. 17, 1928 2,131,389 Rhodes Sept. 27, 19382,179,981 Mooter et al Nov. 14, 1939 2,218,360 Rokol Oct. 15, 19402,342,564 Van Saun Feb. 22, 1944 2,468,951 Barter May 3, 1949 2,690,285Main Sept. 28, 1954 2,777,627 Crane Ian. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS783,932 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1957

